Tag Archives: naias

Exciting news from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit – Buick has revealed their new small crossover!! Welcome the 2013 Encore to the family!! The Encore will be smaller than most other vehicles in its class, with a 2.66 meter wheelbase, but it packs 1,359 litres of cargo room onto a revised version of the platform used on the current subcompact Chevrolet Sonic. The Encore will also share its powertrain with the Sonic and Chevy Cruze, a 1.4L turbo 4-cylinder that cranks out 140 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque.

The Encore joins the Verano – this years new addition – to round an already stellar lineup with the Regal, Lacrosse, and Enclave SUV. It will get the same IntelliLink hands free bluetooth system with 17.7 cm LCD screen that is coming to all Buick models for 2012, and will also feature an all-new Active Noise Cancellation system which will make the Encore one of the quietest rides on the road.

” Buick Encore is a great-looking, smart choice for those who want luxury crossover amenities in a more maneuverable and agile vehicle,” said Tony DiSalle, US vice president of Buick Marketing. “It represents a luxury alternative for a new audience of Buick customers, and delivers features and flexibility not typically found in vehicles of its size today.”

The Encore will be hitting dealer lots in early 2013 – enjoy some pictures from the NAIAS for the time being!

Along with the GMC All-Terrain HD from the last post, GM has another exciting addition to the 2011 Detroit Auto Show – The 2012 Buick Verano. The Verano is built on the same Delta II platform as the Chevy Cruze, but takes its styling cues from its big brothers the Regal and Lacrosse.

The on-sale date for the Verano (In the US anyway) is slated to be the end of 2011, but GM has released some specs of the baby Buick. Like the Regal, the Verano will be a front-wheel drive sedan, and will also share the 2.4L direct injection engine which produces 177 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque. GM has also hinted that a 2.0L turbo will be available in the future, and although no specs were released on that engine, you’d be safe to guess it will be the same turbo coming in the Regal.

Although closer in size to the Regal, the Verano seems to take its front fascia design from the larger Lacrosse sedan, with its side body styling staying closer to the Regal. The rear end is completely new, with downward sloping taillamps adorned with chrome trim above. 17 inch wheels will come standard on the car, with 18 inch wheels also available on the higher models.

Interior wise, the car is all that you would expect from a Buick. It has the size and usefulness of the Cruze, with the higher end materials and fit and finish of the other members of the Buick family. Although the car is almost 9 inches shorter than the Regal, it is only 2 inches narrower and nearly the same height as its big brother, so the Verano will have the capacity (and easy room for 4 adults) of the Cruze. OnStar will be standard on the Verano, as with all new GM vehicles, and optional luxuries will include push button start, dual zone climate control, heated seats, and the ever useful heated steering wheel.

Canadian pricing hasn’t been announced, but according to sources in the US it looks like American units will start around $21,000 and top out just over $26,000 for a top of the line model with all the bells and whistles. We’ll wait to see and hear more about this one at the NAIAS next week.

**Thanks to AutoBlog for the pictures

Rate this:

Due to be released at the Detroit International Auto Show from GM: The GMC All-Terrain HD concept. You may be familiar with the half ton Sierra All-Terrain (different wheels, grille, interior than a standard Sierra) but the HD goes a little more off the map…. Powered by the 6.6L Duramax diesel, the truck also has an extra 3 inches of ground clearance, is 4 inches wider, and rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch offroad tires with Fox off-road shocks (same as used on the Ford Raptor.)

Inside, the concept comes with Denali-spec interior and satin metal finishes – much like it’s half ton counterpart, but also has the upcoming next generation 80 gB hard drive that we’ll be seeing across the full GM line in the next few years. Being a concept there are no plans to actually produce the truck… yet… but if it were to be produced you would likely see it come from a third party firm as opposed to rolling off the GM production line looking like that.

Will be excited to see the concept at the Detroit show, and maybe find a few more details about possible production of the truck, but for now enjoy the pictures.

Pickuptrucks.com is reporting that GMC is going to unveil a preview of its next generation Sierra HD at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. For the 2011 model, GM introduced an all new chassis and an updated Duramax diesel V8 engine, but the body style has remained the same since its mid-2007 model year launch. More news to come when GM officially announces the concept, we’re looking forward to it!

Rate this:

In what looks like a move to somewhat fill the void left by the Pontiac Vibe, GMC brings you its Granite concept. It would be the first move into this territory for GMC, and if you ask me – a step in the right direction. The Granite looks like it would go head-to-head with the small-and-boxy segment currently occupied by the Nissan Cube, Kia Soul, and Scion xB – although the Granite concept has a bit more bite than any of the above mentioned models. As we all know, production models tend to come out looking much less radical than their concept cousins, but GM has shown a penchant for going after that aggressive look with the release of the Terrain.

Some things that likely wouldn’t make it past the concept stage are the spaceship cockpit and interesting interior color scheme, as well as the bold wheels (although I’d like to see them stay.) One unique aspect of this car is the absence of a pillar between the front and rear door, interesting to see if that would make it through to production or not.

Have a look at the pictures and let us know what you think – leave it in the design room or get this badboy to showrooms ASAP?

Rate this:

Here is a post for fans familiar with the current Yukon and Sierra Denali lines – the GMC Acadia will be available in the swanky, upscale trim level for the 2011 model year, the first time a crossover will carry the Denali tag. Differences from the run-of-the-mill Acadia include mahogany trim, perforated leather heated and cooled seats, additional ambient lighting and some standard features that are optional on an SLE or SLT model (navigation, tri-zone climate control, heads up display, and a sunroof.)

On the outside is where the Denali really shines (literally and figuratively) with monotone paint available in Summer White, Quicksilver Metallic, Carbon Black, Red Jewel Tintcoat and White Diamond Tricoat, polished 6-spoke 20″ wheels, and the familiar honeychrome grille from the Yukon/Sierra Denali.

No word on price yet, but keep your eye out as we expect to start seeing them around the third-quarter of 2010.